PREFACE. 13 



The requests we make are three. Of ourselves we say 

 nothing ; but for the matter which we treat, we desire men 

 not to regard it as an opinion, but as a work, and to hold 

 it for certain that we are not laying the foundation of any 

 sect or theory, but of that which will profit and dignify man 

 kind. In the next place, that they should fairly consult 

 their common advantage, laying aside the jealousies and 

 prejudices of opinions, and themselves participate in the 

 remaining labours, when they have been rescued by us 

 from the errors and impediments of the road, and furnished 

 with our defence and assistance. Moreover that they 

 should be strong in hope, and should not pretend or imagine 

 that our instauration is an infinite work surpassing human 

 strength, since it is really an end and legitimate termination 

 of infinite error, yet that they should still recollect the 

 mortal lot of man, and not trust that the matter can be 

 altogether perfected within the course of one age, but deli 

 ver it over to succeeding ages, and finally that they should 

 not arrogantly search for the sciences in the narrow cells 

 of human wit, but humbly in the greater world. That, 

 however, which is empty is commonly vast, whilst solid 

 matter is generally condensed, and lies in a small space. 

 Lastly, we must require (least any one should be disposed 

 to injustice towards us in the very point on which our sub 

 ject turns) that men would consider, how far they imagine 

 they can be permitted to comment and pass judgment on 

 our work, after considering what it is necessary for us to 

 claim for ourselves, if we would preserve any consistency, 

 seeing we reject all human methods, that are premature, 

 anticipating, carelessly and too rapidly abstracted from 

 things as regards the investigation of nature, considering 

 them to be changeable, confused, and badly constructed ; 

 nor is it to be required, that we should be judged by that 

 which we ourselves arraign. 



